Telling him we slept together as if it was some kind of joke.”
James scooted forward in his seat holding the brandy glass in both hands. “Well, that was it. I said it like a joke, one of my schemes to annoy him. He knew that. He never believed it to be true. He loved you too much to believe you'd cheat.”
“It wasn't funny, James. Do you know that nearly cost me my relationship with him?”
“More's the pity he didn't bite. I could have had you all to myself.”
“You arrogant bastard.” Catherine put her hands on her hips.
“What?”
“What makes you think I wanted you? You and I couldn't get it together, James. We're too much alike. Too hungry for more, wanting what everyone else has.”
“Wouldn't that make us perfect for each other?”
“No. I needed someone level headed. Someone to balance me, and that someone is Kurtis. I want him back.”
“I see that. Well, I'm not going to spend nights crying over you. If you're not interested, then fine. I'm happy to keep this sexual.”
Catherine wagged a finger at him. “Oh no, not again. I'm saving myself for him and the only way I can get him is if you're nowhere in sight.”
“Well, thanks a lot.” James drained the last of his brandy and reached for the bottle. He poured another and waved the bottle at Catherine. “Another?”
“No. Not for me.” She took her seat. “James, if you really want to get at Kurtis, there is another way.”
“I'm listening.”
“I don't think you have been. What have I just been telling you about your rival, Kurtis? He couldn't handle me sleeping with you any more than he could handle Tanya sleeping with you. How do you feel about having her in your bed?”
“I'm loving the idea but how to make that possible? Let's face it, Catherine, you were always going to get into bed with me but her – I'm not so sure.”
“Well thanks a lot.”
“It's true. I've met her. I know.”
“You met her? Does Kurtis know that?”
“I don't know. But I know he wouldn't be happy if he found out from a third party that Tanya was alone with me in an apartment.”
“Even better,” Catherine smiled, brightly. “How did you manage that?”
“Lured her over to my mother's place on a false pretense of being a client. It was easy. But I could tell, she isn't. I'm not sure I can lure her into bed...unless...”
“Unless, what?”
“Well, there are ways of getting women into bed. They may not be legal but I don't mind, if you don't mind.”
“I know you have your means. But how do we arrange it so that she agrees to go anywhere with you.”
“My God, Catherine. What an amateur you are. You leave that side of things to me. All you have to do is start planting seeds of doubt into Kurtis's ear about her.”
“Well, how the hell do I do that? He's going to make sure I don't have security clearance for his apartment. How do I get to him?”
“You use your imagination. The way I do. I got that photograph into his apartment by pretending I was his interior designer.”
“But a lot of the security guards know me. I couldn't get past them.”
“Well, find one who doesn't know you or get to Kurtis through his work. I don't know, but you've got to get creative or my side of the plan falls down. Do you want him back or not?”
“Yes I do.”
“You sure? You sure you don't want to give you and me another shot?” He sidled up next to Catherine and ran his hands up under her skirt and between her legs, stroking her, which she did not object to.
“No offense, James. You're good. I give you that. But I'm talking about love here. If I didn't love him I wouldn't put myself through this.” James continued to pleasure her. “But I do love him.”
“When was the last time you slept with a man, Catherine?”
“It's been a while, I must admit.” She pulled James' hand away and held it. “But Kurtis is worth the wait.”
James grinned again and went back to his own seat across the room from her. “Well, looks like it's
Kristen (ILT) Adam-Troy; Margiotta Castro